Enemy #1 for Male Fertility

Did you notice those guys with big muscles at the gym or on the beach? The muscles may be from "just plain old fashioned hard work in the gym" or they could be from using anabolic steroids or performing enhancing drugs. Those that use anabolic steroids or PEDs to build and repair muscle are doing damage to their testicles. These testosterone-based hormones are very bad for men who eventually want to have children. They actually work almost like a contraceptive. When a man is taking anabolic steroids, it is virtually impossible for him to get his partner pregnant.

The use of anabolic steroids historically has been used by athletes in major sports, such as weight lifting, baseball and football. Because these so called "role models" use these drugs, anabolic steroid use or abuse has filtered down and is being used by recreational weight lifters, college and high school athletes, etc.

How do anabolic steroids affect male fertility? Sperm are formed in theMale Fertility, Steriods, Stanton Hoenig, M.D. body when brain hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) work directly on the testicles. In the testicle, cells called Leydig cells are turned on to produce the male hormone, testosterone. When this occurs, there are very high levels of testosterone that are present in the testicle, although there is a normal amount of testosterone in the blood stream. When men use anabolic steroids, they trick the body into thinking that the testicles DO NOT have to produce testosterone. When this happens, the amount of testosterone in the testicles is extremely low, despite normal or very high levels in the bloodstream. When this situation occurs, follicle stimulating hormone also is not released. This combination causes the testicles to shrink and to produce little if any sperm.

Although use of anabolic steroids can stop sperm production, the good news is that in many cases this problem is reversible. It appears that the longer one uses the steroids and the higher the dosage used, the more likely these become irreversible problems. Once performance enhancing drugs are stopped, sperm production may start again but will return in the ejaculate at the earliest three months after stopping the drugs. In fact, in patients who have used steroids for years, this sometimes may take one to two years before one may see a return in sperm production. After a period of time after stopping the PEDs, sometimes medical therapy can enhance the ability of the body to restart sperm production. This is usually done with human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. In certain cases, if hCG alone does not stimulate sperm production, a form of FSH called human menopausal gonadotropin may be added to improve the chances of return of sperm.

Anabolic steroids can cause other health problems that sometimes can be irreversible. These include aggressive behavior, acne, baldness, prominent breasts, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. In adolescents, it may result in stunted growth and accelerated puberty changes.

PEDs can also cause sexual dysfunction. When the anabolic steroids are stopped, the "sexual rush" is gone and this will cause testosterone levels to crash to virtually zero. This may cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of energy and loss of sex drive. Testosterone production may return in a few months, however, in certain situations, it may be a permanent problem. Luckily, there is medical treatment for this problem to raise testosterone levels back to the normal range.

Steroids and Male Fertility

It’s a well known fact that abusing steroids can shrink your balls and cause development of breast tissue. After talking to a number of male fertility specialists, we’ve learned that steroids are also one of the leading preventable causes of male infertility. Learn the facts and keep yourself safe.

How steroids work?

Anabolic steroids are part of a class of drugs called androgens which are compounds that act similarly to testosterone. Testosterone is naturally produced in the testicle where it’s primary role is to help with the development of sperm. Excess testosterone is sent from the testicle to the rest of the body where it binds to other cells and causes them to express proteins that make men more manly (bigger muscles, more body hair, etc). In the brain there is a little thermostat that regulates the body’s hormones. When testosterone levels are low, it produces secondary hormones (LH, FSH, GnRH) which in turn cause the testicles to increase testosterone production. (See our biology lesson on hormones for more details).

Taking steroids short-circuits the body’s natural hormone thermostat. Artificially increasing blood testosterone to ultra-high levels causes the body to build more muscle mass, but it also tells the brain that the body is producing too much testosterone and it attempts to correct it by shutting down testosterone production in the balls. Problem is, testosterone can’t get from the blood stream into the testicle and since it is necessary ingredient for sperm production, the testicles stop producing sperm.

Do they cause permanent damage?
Well, it depends on how much is used and for how long. Long term use can shrivel up the balls and kill off the cells that are produce testosterone. It can also interrupt the signal pathways that enable the body to correct itself and re-establish a healthy hormone balance.

The healthiest way to boost blood testosterone levels is to super charge your balls. There are a lot of tricks to help your body naturally boost testosterone levels. Check out Lee Myers blog on increasing T.

If you plan on using any androgen – this includes hormone replacement therapy, patches, creams, steroids, etc. Please talk to a male fertility specialist to learn options for enhancing testosterone levels safely so that you are able to preserve your fertility.

Is there any way to regain fertility?
First, stop taking steroids. Depending on how much and how long you used, simply quitting may be enough to restore fertility. It takes up to a year to regain full sperm counts so be patient with your body.

Sometimes the body needs help getting the signals going again. If so, a male fertility specialist will do a blood panel to determine your hormone profile. Based on that they can prescribe a variety of drugs that will kickstart sperm production.

In extreme cases, the body is unable to get sperm production levels up high enough for natural conception. Don’t worry. There’s technology for that. Thanks to the modern marvels of medicine if there is even a few sperm hidden away deep in the testicle then there is a chance of conceiving. Highly skilled micro-surgeons can scan the testicle with a microscope in search of sperm. If they find one, they can inject it directly into an egg and implant the egg in the uterus.

Can Laptops Harm Male Fertility?

It is true that the heat from a laptop can warm men's scrotums, and it is also true that an increase in scrotal temperature - by more than one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) - can have damaging effects on sperm quality, but I haven't seen research linking laptop use with a decline in male fertility.

This issue recently came to light, however, after investigators at the State University of New York at Stony Brook published a small study (of 29 young men) showing that scrotal temperature increased within 10 to 15 minutes of holding a laptop computer on the lap. After an hour of this, scrotal temperature rose by 2.5 C. This happened even when the men placed a lap pad under the computer. The study was published online Nov. 3, 2010 in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

The investigators found that when the men in their study sat with their legs spread wide and put the computer on a large lap pad, scrotal temperature remained cooler for a while, but still began to edge up in less than 30 minutes. Incidentally, prolonged bicycling can also overheat the testicles as can frequent use of saunas or hot tubs.

This is probably not the greatest threat to male fertility - you can always circumvent any potential risk by putting the laptop on a desk. And in any event, it is unlikely that any resulting impairment of fertility would be permanent. Nevertheless, if you are man with a fertility problem, it would be better to keep your laptop off your lap.

The major causes of male infertility are defects in reproductive anatomy or physiology, such as a damaged vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testes), disease (including sexually transmitted diseases), hormonal disorders and chemotherapy. In addition to heat, environmental exposures to toxins and some chemicals can impair sperm production.

What Is Healthy Sexuality?

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Healthy sexuality is often defined as the ability to take delight in and feel empowered by one's sexual feelings and interactions. Many experts in healthy sexuality believe sexual activity isn't limited to the activities that can occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Instead, they believe that sexual activity can encompass all activities that help to build an intimate relationship, where trust, respect and affection are shared. Healthy sex allows both partners to feel that they are freely consenting to any sexual interaction that may take place, and that each partner enjoys an equal measure of personal empowerment in the situation. Both partners should ideally enjoy mutual trust and respect, and both partners should feel safe emotionally and physically during the sexual interaction.

Many experts believe expressing healthy sexuality requires a deep level of trust, commitment, and communication between sexual partners. They often stress the building of a mutually respectful and comfortable relationship before sexual contact can be considered healthy. Even after boundaries of physical intimacy have been passed in a relationship, most experts recommend ongoing, honest communication to help both partners maintain a sense of safety and comfort with sexual contact.

Some kinds of sexual expression are considered unhealthy. Any sexual contact in which one partner fears dangerous or unpleasant consequences could be considered unhealthy. These consequences could be physical, such as unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease, or they could be emotional, such as the fear of betrayal. Persons who are forced into sexual activity often suffer severe emotional damage in the aftermath. The expression of healthy sexuality generally requires that both sexual partners feel safe.

Other unhealthy ideas about sex could include ideas that sex is shameful, wrong, or dirty. Experts typically believe that healthy sexuality depends largely on the belief that sexual feelings and needs are normal, natural, healthy, and even empowering. Healthy sexuality is generally considered a means of expressing love and affection. Experts believe that healthy sexual expression can help support self-esteem, individual boundaries, and ethical values.
Abusive sexual behavior is another type of unhealthy sexuality. It is often classified as sexual behavior intended to control or harm another. Healthy sexuality, by contrast, typically allows both partners to give or withdraw consent to any sexual activities, before or after sexual interaction has begun.

Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)

Nowadays more than 50 million of men have made vasectomy (sterilization).  That is about 5% of married men in reproductive age. If we compare it with women, you should know that 15% of families choose female sterilization as birth control method.

Vasectomy is a male operation to make a man sterile (unable to child fetation). This is the most popular method of male contraception for life. According to statistics, in the USA every sixth male over 35 years was exposed to the operation. In some countries female sterilization and female contraception precede vasectomy by popularity.

Male sterilization is an easy way to prevent from unplanned pregnancy, it is 100% effective and relatively safe method, that has no influence on sexual life. However, preventing from pregnancy, vasectomy is not protecting from sexually transmitted diseases.

Essence of the procedure
The essence of vasectomy is to prevent sperm hitting into ejaculate that is eliminated during sex. Sperm containing male reproductive cells is produced in testes. Moving via spermoducts it is hitting other testes glands where it is mixing with ejaculate. In consequence of vasectomy those spermoducts are cut and blocked. So hitting of sperm into ejaculate is prevented and it is just utilized by organism. Naturally, fetation without sperm is impossible.

Existing Techniques
Usually the operation lasts 30-40 minutes. Traditional method means that one side of the cod should be injected with anaesthetic. Then doctor makes there two small discissions and cuts spermducts and removes a small part of them. The ends of canals are tied and cod cuts are sewed. The same is performed on another side too.

Sometimes operation is performed without making cuts. With a special device doctor makes a small prick, stretches skin, cuts and tires ends of spermoducts. In this case blood loss is less and there is no need in stitching. This is a new method, it is less painful and causes less complications in comparison to traditional operation.

Is it painful?
To perform operation more often is used local anaesthesia what makes operation less painful.  It is noticed just low discomfort caused by anaesthetic injection and when doctor pulls canal via cut. After operation several days you will feel bad.  Minimum for one day is prescribed bed regime. Operations without scalpel are not so painful. Special bandage supporting cod, cold compresses and anaesthetics that do not contain aspirin stanch your pain. Follow doctor's instructions and everything will be okay.

Complications
Operations of both types can cause complications. Serious side effects occur rarely. Usually they are connected with infection (infection can be brought via cut or via canals). Address your doctor if you have next symptoms of infection: high temperature, issue of blood, pyorrhea from cut,  great pain and inflammation.

Other possible problems:
1) bruise (soon after operation it passes off). In rare cases hematoma occurs. So there is need in medical screening.
2) Sperm keeps on flowing from spermoducts in 18% of cases after operation. As a result under skin can be formed a bump (granuloma). Granuloma resolves by itself, but sometimes there is need in surgical intercourse.
3) More rarely occurs abscess.